Ronaldo's Real Deal Spoils United Plans

Manchester United is reportedly facing an 'almighty battle' to bring back Cristiano Ronaldo after he said that he still has not ruled out a new deal with Madrid.

LONDON: Premier League champions Manchester United is reportedly facing an 'almighty battle' to bring back football ace Cristiano Ronaldo after he said that he still has not ruled out a new deal with Real Madrid.

United, which hopes to sign the Portuguese forward for 65 million pounds and complete the biggest transfer in British football history, wants to unveil him on August 8 and then play him in Rio Ferdinand's testimonial against Sevilla the day after, The Sun reports.

However, Ronaldo has dealt a blow to the Old Trafford hopes, saying that he is confident that he and Real will reach an agreement to sign a new deal, adding that he is calm and not preoccupied about it.

According to the report, Ronaldo's representatives have reportedly demanded around 35 million pounds a year gross wages along with all his image rights, even as Madrid offers around 30 million pounds a year and the same 60-40 per cent split on his image rights worth in excess of 20 million pounds a year.

Meanwhile, the report mentioned that United's plan is to pay Ronaldo a basic salary in excess of 300,000 pounds-a week to make him the highest-paid player in English football, adding that 'informal' meetings between third parties have been going on for over a year.